kitzmiller



No. 770,434. PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904- G. M. KITZMILLBR. PLATEN SHIFT MEGHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1904.

' ZflflEBTS-SHBET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 770,434. PATENTBD SEPT. 20, 1904. G. M. KITZMILLER. PLATEN SHIFT MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904. I

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. KITZMILLER, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELEC- TRIO TYPEWRITER COMPANY OF NORFOLK, INCORPORATED.

PLATEN-SHIFT MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,434, dated September 20, 1904.

Application filed March 30, 1904'.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. KITZMILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Platen-Shift Mechanism for Type- Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to platen shifting and supporting mechanism for type-writing machines, and has for its object to provide an easy, accurate, and reliable means for elevating the platen for printing in upper case, together with other features in combination therewith.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is arear elevation of the platen, its supporting-frame,

the carriage-frame, and the frame of the machine. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the line 1 2 in Fig. 1 of the platen and elevation of the operating devices. Fig. 3 is a plan of the operating-levers shown in elevation in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the platen-support and rectangular column-guide. Fig. 5 is a part plan of the platen-support, track, and rectangular column-guide and channel-way. Fig. 6 is a part section and end elevation of the ball-bearing corrugated track and cylindrical sleeve, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

1n the drawings like reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

1, Fig. 1, is the frame ofthe machine, which may be of any suitable construction.

2 is the platen, supported by the shaft 3, passing through the end plates 5 of the frame 7 and terminating in the knobs 4:.

6 represents the rectangular column-guides, in which are formed a V-shaped groove or channel-way for the V-shaped bar or track 30, Fig. 5, the guides 6 being attached to and forming a part of the bed-plate 29 of the carriage. The lugs 25, Figs. 2 and 4, are rigidly secured to the bed-plate 29 of the laterallymovable carriage and carry semicylindrioal sleeves 11, Figs. 1 and 2, in which are placed the balls 28, Fig. 2, which travel in the corrugations of the tracks 10. The sleeves 11 and the sleeve 12 (which will be hereinafter Serial No. 200,675. (No model.)

referred to) are fitted with end plates (not shown) conforming to the tracks 10 and 15 to prevent the balls from coming out. The tracks 10 are rigidly secured to the frame land extend parallel to each other transversely or across the machine, the tracks 10 being secured to the frame 1 by the brackets or braces 27, Fig. 2. The end plates 5 of the inner frame before referred to are provided with V-shaped bars or tracks, which are vertically movable in the V-shaped grooves or channel-ways 30. These end plates 5 are secured to and form a part of the plate 7, together forming an inner frame which is vertically movable in the groove or channel-way 30, as described.

8 represents paper-feed rollers mounted on the shaft 9.

7 A is a rod rigidly secured to the inner frame 7, which is also rigidly secured to the rod 7 together forming a yoke. Rigidly secured centrally of the rod 7 as at 13, is a cylindrical sleeve 12, Figs. 1 and 2, in which are placed the balls 24:, which travel in the corrugations or grooves in the rod or track 15. The sleeve 12 is provided with a strap, the portion next to the bottom of the machine carrying a concave lug 24: for supporting a downward thrust or preventing any lost motion between the sleeve 12 and the rod or track 15. Fig. 6 is a section of the sleeve 12, showing a modification of the track 15, wherein I use a round rod or track 15, corrugated or fluted, in which the balls 24 travel. The rod or track 15 is rigidly secured to the hooked vertically-disposed rods 16, which are movably supported in the lugs 17, which are secured to the frame 1.

19 is a shaft extending across the machine and is a fulcrum for the levers 32, Fig. 2. The levers 32 are provided at one end with a fork 19, which engages the foot or hook 18 of the rod 16. .The lever 32 near the point of fulcrum has an angular or drop portion, as at 32, so as to be able to place the end 32 carrying the pin 33, under the shift-key lever 36.

31 is a lug secured to the frame lf, carrying a screw 23 for regulating the amount of lift of the lever 32.

22 is a lug secured to the frame lfor securing one end of the spring 21 to the lever 32. The spring 21. is under tension when the fork 19 of the lever 32 is elevated and draws the lever 32 to normal position (shown in Fig. 2) on releasing the shift-key 37.

34: is the fulcrum-rod for the shift-key lever 36, 37 being the key or finger-piece.

38 is the shift-key-lever-locking device, which is pivoted at 40'and is provided with a lug 41, which engages the lever 36.

42 is a spring secured by the screw 43 on the lug 35 on the block 39 and is provided with a lug 44, engaging in the notches 4:5 and 46, holding the lug 41 in such position that the 'lever 36 is maintained depressed and locked, so that all capital letters may be printed, until the locking device is released and the parts return to their normal position, as shown in all the views.

In the operation of my invention when it is desired to elevate the platen at any point of its travel a depression of the lever 36 by the key or finger-piece 37 causes the lever 36 to engage the pin 33 and raise'the fork 19 of the lever 32, which is fulcrumed on the rod or shaft 19*, the fork 19 engaging the foot or hook 18, lifting the rod 16, the rod or track 15, the cylindrical sleeve 12, yoke-rod the inner frame or platen-support in the V-shaped groove or channel-way, and the platen 2 to the printing-point. The spring 21,'now under tension, will when the key 37 is released drawthe parts back to their normal position. The under portion of the rod or track 15 is always in en 'gagement with the lug 24 in the sleeve 12,

preventing any downward thrust or lost motion between the sleeve 12 and the track 15. It will be understood that the operation just described may be accomplished at any point of travel of the platen and carriage.

I am not confined to the exact details of construction herein shown, but may'make such modifications and alterations as may be deemed expedient without departing from the subjectmatter described and claimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure'by Letters Patent,

horizontal rod adapted to movably support the said sleeve, a series of vertically-disposed movable rods provided with angles or books at their lower'ends, and means for elevating the platen by the said rods, substantially as described.

2. In a platen-shift mechanism, thecombination of-a vertically-movable platen su'pport ing frame having V-shaped or angular tracks or bars on the ends thereof, a carriage or nonlifting frame having corresponding V-shaped or angular channel-ways for the said tracks or bars, ball-bearing semicylindrical sleeves attached to the said non lifting carriageframe, and ball-bearing corrugated or fluted tracks for movably supporting the said sleeves and carriage-frame, a corrugated ball-bearing rod, a cylindrical sleeve encircling the said rod and provided with a lug for supporting a downward thrust, and means for elevating the said platen-supporting frame, substantially as described.

3. In a key-lever-operated platen-shifting mechanism, the combination comprising a platen, a vertically-movable platen-support, a carriage frame or cradle carrying the said platen-support and adapted to move the said support vertically by means of V-shaped channel-ways, a ball-bearing track for movably supporting the said carriage or cradle, a yoked rod and frame for lifting the said platen-supports, a sleeve adapted to slide along and lift the said yoked frame and rod, a corrugated ball-bearing track below the said yoked rod, and a sleeve adapted to traverse the said corrugated track, a concave lug in the said sleeve for supportinga downward thrust of the track, a plurality of right-angle hooked rods for lifting the said platen and its support, and an oscillating forked lever for engagement with the key-lever for elevating and depressing the said platen and its support, substantially as described.

4. In a platen-shift mechanism, comprising a platen, a vertically-movable platen-support, a V-shaped track, a bar on the said platen-support, a carriage or cradle adapted to'allow the said platen and its support to be vertically movable, a corrugated track for the said carriage, a movable ball-bearing sleeve adapted to slide along and lift the platen-support at any point in its movement, a strap having a thickened portion for engagement with the under portion of the corrugated track, vertical hooked or lifting rods attached to the said platen-supports, a forked lever for en gaging in one of the hooks of the lifter-rod, a pin on the lower end of the said foot or hooks for engagement with the said forked lever, the said lever having a pin at its lowest point adapted to engage with the key-lever, and a spring-controlled notched eccentric cam for locking the said key-lever for maintaining an elevated position of the platen, and platen and platen-supports, and means for adjusting the throw of the said forked lever, substantially as described.

5. In a key-lever-operated platen-shifting mechanism, the combination comprising a platen, a vertically-movable platen-support, a V orwedge shaped guide for the said platen,

a vertical lifting-rod for elevating the platen, a ball-bearing sleeve adapted to be lifted by the formed levers and hooked rodsat various points of the platen movement, a corrugated track for the said sleeve, a plurality of knifeedge ball-bearing tracks for the said platen carriage or cradle, a pin at right angles to the said lifting-rod, a spring-controlled forked lever for engaging the said pin, the said forked lever having a dropped or angle portion for engagement With and carrying a pin at right angles thereto beneath the key-lever, a screw and nut for adjusting the said forked lever, a spring-pressed concave notched eccentric cam for locking the said lever, and a key-lever for operating the mechanism, the said key-lever being fulcrumed at one end, substantially as described.

6. In a platen-shift mechanism for type- Writing machines, the combination of a laterally-movable carriage bed or plate, a series of ball-carrying fluted tracks, a series of slotted 'semicylindrical ball-carrying sleeves, a vertically and laterally movable platen, a vertically and laterally movable platen-lifting yoke, a vertically and laterally movable ball-carrying cylindrical sleeve, a fluted or corrugated vertically-movable ball-carrying track, a series of vertically-disposed and vertically-movable hooked rods, a series of forked oscillating or rockable levers adapted to lift the said hooked vertical rods, means for regulating the throW of the forked levers, a spring controlled notched eccentric key-locking cam, and means for actuating the said forked levers, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE M. KITZMILLER.

Witnesses ROBERT E. ToPLEY, ALEXANDER CALco'rT. 

